The competitive game of death-defying cooperation!

Built in the midst of pandemic panic, a large-scale media installation for public places that gamifies the act of social cooperation. Our perils can be avoided - but only if we all work together…

Developed in collaboration with optikal bloc

An interactive multimedia installation for public spaces.

Bad things are happening, and our heroes are at risk! From hungry sharks to deadly laser beams, danger is imminent and the only person who can stop it is you!

Designed to activate large, outdoor public spaces over several hours per night, spectators bear witness to a series of increasingly whimsical and perilous predicaments. It's up to the audience of gathered bystanders to save our ensemble of delightful cartoon heroes, by rallying support and sending crucial key words from their smartphones.

Avoidable Perils is a new social experiment for anyone willing to help, made by Australia's genre-defying transmedia theatre collective Counterpilot. A game for the masses, this work explores activism in the attention economy, and the challenge of large-scale teamwork.

Avoidable Perils was created at the height of Australia's COVID-19 pandemic and designed for a socially-distanced future.

Commissioned by Darwin Festival, Brisbane Festival, and Metro Arts.

Created by Counterpilot, with optikal bloc

Devised by Nathan Sibthorpe, Craig Wilkinson, Sean Dowling, Christine Felmingham, Mike Willmett, Sarah Winter

Directed by Nathan Sibthorpe

Video Design by Craig Wilkinson

Illustrations by Sean Dowling

Sound Design by Mike Willmett

Software Design by Clinton Freeman

Programming Assistance byJeremy Gordon

Lasercut Rewards by Felmingham Design

Produced by Matt Seery & Jo Thomas, Metro Arts

Darwin Festival Park
AUG, 2020
Darwin Festival

Metro Arts @ West Village
SEP, 2020
Brisbane Festival

Bundaberg
DEC, 2020
presented by Moncrieff Entertainment Centre
Carpark Cnr Woongarra and Maryborough Street

Avoidable Perils is a multi-city game of death-defying cooperation. Can your city beat the high score?

#1
BUNDABERG:
80% RATE OF SURVIVAL

#2
BRISBANE FESTIVAL:
77% RATE OF SURVIVAL

#3
DARWIN FESTIVAL:
70% RATE OF SURVIVAL

AVOIDABLE PERILS is available to tour from 2022 with support from ArTour.

Avoidable Perils has been designed with many different outdoor presentation options in mind, as presenters navigate ever-shifting restrictions and resources.

The work is intended for large-scale projection onto buildings or other highly visible areas in bustling public spaces. However, alternative delivery options include presenting the work on digital billboards or other screens. National touring can be delivered in-person, but versions of the work can also be delivered remotely across international borders.

For more information, enquiries or to obtain a presenter pack,
please contact ArTour.